Posted on 01/03/2008 2:12:43 PM PST by dragnet2
LOS ANGELES—The city had the fewest homicides in nearly four decades last year, thanks partly to an increased number of officers and improved relations between police and community members, officials said.
"It's not demographics, it's not the economy, it's not the weather," Bratton said. "What makes a difference is cops focused on crime—cops who believe they can make a difference."
(Excerpt) Read more at mercurynews.com ...
Recently I have tried to explain to some members that LA major crime is way down and has considerably less crime than most major cities in others states. Some just refused to believe.
Hmm, I susupect it was demographics. Los Angeles has changed quite a bit in recent years, and even the cheapest hovel costs $500,000.
In practice that means the lowest in 44 years, since there was unified city crime reporting in 1963.
But it is probably the lowest since the 50s and maybe the lowest since WWII.
I live in the LA area and find it to be very safe.
The VAST majority of the homicides are targeted. Rarely are innocent bystanders targeted these days.
The real reason is that the crack wars of the 90s have ended.
and perhaps higher gas prices, heheh. Or maybe they changed the stats....
Is this the same Bratton that cleaned up NYC for which Giuliani is grabbing the credit?
Not "the" reason, but certainly a factor.
The same sort of murder rate drop coccured in Chicago. I believe earnestly that it is the result of manmade global cooling — the hot heads have simmered down.
Yes.
Tougher sentencing/mandatory minimums finally showing results?
While there are exceptions in certain locales, murder is down nationally over years past. Unfortunately, the media tries to give us the sense that it is out of control and usually blames it on easy access to guns.
Same guy. However it was not just him. People in the 80s and 90s just had a belly full of crime, and many citizens out of anger, became pro-active and started demanding action, in addition to becoming involved, and not hesitating to call the cops and getting involved, even when there was a risk.
OJ moved to Floridah.
Governor Schwarzenegger, failing to take note of this, has determined it’s a wonderful idea to furlough about 20,000 felons early, since he can’t keep his leftist spending spree under control.
It will be interesting to see how crime stats are affected by that masterful brilliance.
Why? Has everyone been killed off?
You bet. Mandatory minimums, and 3 strikes are kick butt laws.
They actually interviewed some 2 time losers a few years ago, and they commented that they were leaving the state due to exactly those reasons.
Beware of anyone that is against 3 strike style, mandatory minimum laws.
If I had it my way, it would be 2 strikes, and you're done.
I think Bernard Goetz deserves at least some of the credit for NYC’s changes.
Los Angeles County murders are down too - not as much, but it’s simply caused by people moving outside the city, it seems.
Aha!
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